Federal Jury Finds Convicted Felon Illegally Possessed Pistols

PITTSBURGH - After deliberating for just over ten hours, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, a federal jury of six men and six women found Michael Eugene Gorny guilty of one count of violation federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Gorny, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was tried before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer in Pittsburgh.

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine A. King and Rebecca R. Haywood, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that on or about July 4, 2012, Gorny, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a .40 S&W caliber Glock pistol, and a 9mm caliber Lorcin pistol. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for Jan. 28, 2015 at 9 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Michael Eugene Gorny.